Search - Hank Mobley :: Another Workout

Mobley's Zenith

Jack Baker | LeRoy,IL | 06/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This quartet session, recorded in 1961, but not released until 1985, features some of Hank Mobley's finest work. The group is the same lineup as the classic Soul Station, save for the drummer. Wynton Kelly plays piano, Paul Chambers the bass, and Philly Joe Jones holds down the drum throne occupied by Art Blakey on the previously mentioned Soul Station. Mobley was at his creative peak during this period and it's almost shameful that this session sat as long as it did. From here, he would stop recording for a time, and return with a harder edged sound. He was still very good, but this might be the last recording of his most fertile period when he was truly at the top of his game.



The session itself consists of three Mobley originals and two standards, kicking off at full speed with "Out of Joe's Bag", a fast-paced Mobley bop with an intricate winding solo by the leader. This is followed by the ballad "I Should Care", given emotive depth by Mobley's full, round tone and Kelly's graceful piano work. Next up is another memorable Mobley creation, "Gettin' and Jettin'". This piece would later be reworked and retitled "Up a Step", my favorite track from No Room for Squares. The first version heard here is equally as good, with Kelly adding some more great piano to complement the saxophone. Philly Joe and Paul Chambers are allowed to have their say as well, a great team effort from all involved. "Hank's Other Soul" would also be revisited as "East of the Village" on The Turnaround! (which I have not heard). It's a slower, funky number, riding atop some excellent bass lines by Mr. P.C.. The album closes with a light-hearted version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Hello Young Lovers", yet another chance for Mobs to show off that gorgeous tone of his.



I would rate this album just below Soul Station, Roll Call, and No Room for Squares and just a tick above Workout. All of these albums are top notch Mobley, however, and worthy of your consideration. One minor complaint: in the liner notes for the RVG Edition, critic Bob Blumenthal refers to Wynton Kelly's playing on the session as "less effervescent-than-usual". Allow me to respectfully disagree with Mr. Blumenthal's assessment here, as Kelly's contributions to Another Workout are as pleasing to my ear as on any other session I've had the privilege to hear him on. Trust your ears and you won't be disappointed."

I SHOULD CARE AND I DO

Jonathan A. wang | scotch plains, new jersey United States | 02/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"HANK MOBLEY WAS ONE OF THE MOST LYRICAL TENOR PLAYERS EVER. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS ALBUM (AND ONE OF HIS BEST RECORDINGS PERIOD) IS HIS BEAUTIFUL READING OF "I SHOULD CARE" . THIS IS TRULY ONE OF THE MOST HEARTFELT RENDERINGS RECORDERD BY A JAZZ MUSICIAN. ITS ELEGANT CONSTRUCTION AND INVENTIVENESS IS TRANSCENDED BY A

SENSE OF PROFOUND ALMOST ACHING SADNESS AND REGRET ONLY THE GREATEST OF MUSICAL POETS ARE EVER ABLE TO EXPRESS. MOBLEY WAS AN ARTIST OF AWESOME DEPTH . ESSENTIAL LISTENING"